News and Notes:

Pretty Woman Musical Sets Broadway Dates

Pretty Woman: The Musical will begin performances on Broadway July 20, 2018 at the Nederlander Theatre. The new musical, which will have its world premiere in Chicago in the spring, was previously scheduled to arrive on Broadway in the fall Opening night on Broadway is set for August 16. Pretty Woman, based on the beloved 1990 romantic comedy, will begin performances at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre March 13 and play a strictly five-week limited engagement. The production is directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. The new musical features a book co-written by the film’s director, Garry Marshall, and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, and music and lyrics by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner, Jim Vallance. More details here.

Ben Platt, who won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance in the title role of the Tony-winning Dear Evan Hansen, played his final performance at the Music Box Theatre November 19. The actor has been with the musical throughout its journey from Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage to Off-Broadway’s Second Stage and, subsequently, Broadway. Platt – who earned raves for his emotional, riveting performance as Evan Hansen, the sensitive high school student caught at the center of a story that spirals out of control – also received The Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award, which is awarded to one artist a year and can only be won once in a lifetime. Platt is the youngest actor to have ever won the award. Dear Evan Hansen welcomed The Real O’Neals’ Noah Galvin in the title role beginning November 21, and will be followed by Hello, Dolly! star Taylor Trensch, who will take over beginning mid-January 2018. More details here.

The Broadway production of Come From Away has joined forces with the Gander SPCA to release a 2018 calendar featuring members of the cast and creative team of the Newfoundland-set new musical. The 12-month calendar features photos of the cast and creative team with a mix of furry friends from the Gander Area SPCA. The new musical is set in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, where travelers find themselves stranded together after the events of September 11. The calendar, priced at $20, benefits the Gander Area SPCA and is available throughout the holiday season at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The Gander Area SPCA advocates on behalf of those who can’t defend themselves by providing education on responsible pet ownership, preventing cruelty, and sheltering those animals in need. More details here.